1919

1919 are a post-punk, gothic and deathrock group from Bradford, United Kingdom, formed in late 1980 by guitarist Mark Tighe and vocalist Ian Tilleard. The band begins under the name Heaven Seventeen and includes an early lineup with pre-Zodiac Mindwarp Mark Manning before settling on the name 1919, taken from a book belonging to Tighe. The core early lineup is completed by Nick Hiles on bass and Mick Reed on drums, and the group describes its aim as making a heavy, melodic, intense dance band with no frills.

Early recordings and first recordings for John Peel

In 1982, 1919 issue a white-label 7-inch promo of Repulsion / Tear Down These Walls and are invited to record their first session for John Peel in May of that year. The single is then re-released on Red Rhino Records, alongside the single Caged / After The Fall and the LP Machine. The band’s 1982–83 period also includes later sessions and releases associated with their early post-punk and gothic sound.

Line-up changes and final recordings of the first era

In 1983, Nick Hiles is replaced on bass by Steve Madden. Madden appears on the final recordings of this period, including a 7-inch and 12-inch version of Cry Wolf paired with Storm, and the 12-inch Earth Song EP, which appears on Abstract Records after the band’s dissolution in 1984. During this era, the ensemble also includes saxophonist Kev Aston and synthesizer player Sputnik, also known as Paul Drake.

Splinter projects and return

By the time Earth Song appears in 1984, the band splits into two offshoots. Reed continues as 1919 AD before reuniting with Drake to form The Hive, while the other members become Another Cinema. Interest in the early recordings remains strong, helped by streaming sites.

In 2014, Tighe begins working on new material with bass player and vocalist Rio Goldhammer. The self-released download Revenge and an accompanying video follow, and the band plays its first show by headlining Leipzig’s Gothic Pogo Festival. Further dates across Europe are then announced.

Later activity and recordings

On 30 August 2015, Reed returns as the permanent drummer, and Karl Donner joins on bass, restoring the group to a four-piece with Goldhammer on vocals. The band then releases a live CD, 2015: "The Madness Continues" Sessions, which combines songs from the early years with four new tracks that later form the self-released Death Note EP.

In 2016, 1919 release a promo video for Bloodline, the title track of their second studio album. The band signs to Westworld Recordings to release the album and tours Europe to support the single.

Mark Tighe’s death and later line-up

After Tighe is diagnosed with cancer, the band cancels most of its remaining shows, though it plays a final performance at Brighton Racecourse’s Undercover Festival. Tighe dies in January 2017. The remaining members later hold a memorial performance, with money collected for Marie Curie in his honour.

Bloodline is released in March 2017 and receives positive reviews. In April, the band confirms Sam Evans as its new full-time guitarist and continues touring the album across Europe. The group remains active.